Politics
Somali City Councilor Resigns Just Days After Taking Office Following Felony Indictment
Iman Osman, a native of Somalia and recent addition to the Lewiston City Council, has resigned from his position representing Ward 5 just days after being sworn into office. The resignation comes in the wake of a felony indictment related to firearm theft and an ongoing investigation into his residency status within the district.
Osman, who also leads the Lewiston Auburn Youth Network, a nonprofit organization, submitted his resignation less than 72 hours after taking office on January 5.
He had previously won the seat this past November, when he defeated incumbent Eryn M. Soule-Leclair with 53 percent of the vote. In total, Osman emerged victorious by a margin of just 35 votes. Prior to the recent election, he had served on the Lewiston School Committee for one year.
“For the betterment of our community and in the best interest of our city, I believe it is time for me to step aside,” Osman wrote in his resignation letter. “I hope my resignation serves as a call to action for those who remain — an opportunity to reflect on the values of respect, inclusivity and kindness that should guide our public service.”
Osman issued his resignation just days into his tenure
Osman’s resignation comes after he was indicted by a grand jury on charges stemming from the alleged theft of two firearms between November 15, 2023, and October 11, 2024, according to a report from local outlet WMTW. He pleaded not guilty to the charges during an initial court appearance this past Tuesday.
Osman has also faced scrutiny over his residence, which was listed in the indictment as an address that has been condemned since October 2024, according to the report. The council voted 6-1 on Monday to investigate Osman’s residency, with the now former councilman being the lone dissenter.
In his resignation letter, Osman claimed that he faced “racist opposition” during his city council campaign, further claiming that he was bombarded with “vicious personal attacks” at his office. Osman’s attorney, Kiernan Majerus-Collins, claimed to WMTW that his client is being targeted due to increased scrutiny of the nation’s Somali community following focus on high-profile fraud cases in Minnesota.
“The fact that the Trump administration is targeting Somali and Somali Americans across the country, absolutely played a role in ginning up the kind of hatred and threats of violence that ultimately forced him to conclude that he could no longer serve in public office at this time,” he said.
